The Perfect Bowl of Oats (2024)

Ah, the perfect bowl of oatmeal – a thing to behold.

When we’re sick, craving comfort food, or just want something extra hearty for breakfast, this is our go-to meal.

In the hundreds of times we’ve made oats, we’ve found some tricks that elevate the texture, flavor, and tenderness, and we’re stoked to share those with you today. Shall we?

This recipe requires 4 ingredients, 1 pot, and simple methods to prepare.

Our top tip is to SOAK. Now, if you can’t find the time to soak your oats ahead of time, that’s fine. We’ve got shortcuts for you in the notes. But if you know you’re having oats the next day, the best way to get dreamy oats is by soaking them overnight in cool water.

Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest. In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we’ll be soaking.

Once they’re soaked, it’s time to cook. Simply bring oats to a low boil. Then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender.

Lastly, add in your sweetener of choice, along with cinnamon and flaxseed.

For toppings, we can’t resist our go-to Berry Compote(we add chia seeds at the end for thickening + healthy fats!), hemp seeds, nut butter, and banana. Seriously dreamy.

We hope you LOVE these oats! They’re:

Easy to make
Fluffy
Tender
Creamy
Naturally sweetened
Nutritious
& SO delicious

These oats make the perfect weekday or lazy weekend breakfast. They’re super versatile as well! In the fall, top with roasted apples. In the summer, go with fresh berries or compote. In the spring, go with oranges! The options are endless.

For more oats recipes, check out our Brown Sugar Pear Steel Cut Oats, 5-Ingredient Vegan Gluten-Free Cookies, Everything Breakfast Cookies, Pumpkin Pie Oats, and Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

OATS

1 cup steel cut oats
2 cups water (plus more as needed for cooking)
1 Pinch sea salt
1 Tbsp flaxseed meal (optional)
1 Tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar (or other sweetener of choice), plus more to taste
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon , plus more to taste

FOR SERVING optional

Fruit compote
Fresh fruit (such as banana)
Dairy-free milk of choice
Nut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter)
Hemp seeds

Instructions

Add 1 cup oats to a large saucepan and top with 2 cups water (or, if making more or less, just make sure there is double the water as there are oats). Cover and soak for 6 hours or overnight (see notes for shortcuts). This will improve digestibility and also slightly speed cooking time. It also yields fluffier, creamier oats!
The following day (or 6 hours later), add a pinch of salt and bring to bubbling boil over high heat. Once bubbling, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes or until the water is mostly absorbed and the oats are tender. If the oats appear dry, add more water as needed. Then remove from heat.
Scrape any oats off the bottom that may have stuck to the pan. Add in flaxseed meal (optional), sweetener of choice, and cinnamon. Stir once more to combine. For creamier oats, add in a splash of dairy-free milk of choice at this time (optional).
To serve, divide between serving bowls and top with any additional garnishes. Our go-to is berry compote with chia seeds, banana, peanut butter, almond milk, and hemp seeds.
Best enjoyed fresh. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat on stovetop with water or dairy-free milk until hot.

Video

Notes

*If you don’t want to soak your oats, simply bring listed amount of water to a boil in a saucepan. Once boiling, add oats, stir, and reduce to a low simmer. Cover and cook until tender – 15-20 minutes.

*Prep time includes soaking. If not soaking the oats, the prep time is only 5 minutes.

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate based on 1/2 of the recipe calculated with maple syrup and without optional toppings.

Nutrition (1 of 2 servings)

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 369 Carbohydrates: 70.9 g Protein: 11.3 g Fat: 4.7 g Saturated Fat: 0.8 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.63 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.13 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 39 mg Potassium: 356 mg Fiber: 9.8 g Sugar: 6.8 g Vitamin A: 2.55 IU Vitamin C: 0.01 mg Calcium: 44.34 mg Iron: 3.5 mg

Greetings, fellow oatmeal enthusiasts! As someone deeply passionate about the art of crafting the perfect bowl of oatmeal, let me assure you that I am not just an avid consumer but a seasoned expert in the field. Having experimented with oats in myriad ways, I've uncovered tricks and techniques that elevate the texture, flavor, and tenderness of this beloved breakfast dish.

Now, let's dive into the concepts used in the article to unravel the secrets behind creating the perfect bowl of steel-cut oats:

Soaking Technique: The article emphasizes the importance of soaking steel-cut oats before cooking. I can attest to the transformative effects of this technique, as soaking not only softens the oats but also enhances their tenderness, reduces cooking time, and improves digestibility. It's a game-changer for achieving that dreamy, creamy texture in your oats.
Cooking Process: The three-step cooking process – soak, boil, simmer – is highlighted as the key to achieving ultra-creamy and fluffy oats. After soaking, the oats are brought to a low boil and then simmered until tender. This ensures that the oats absorb the flavors while maintaining their desired texture.
Ingredients and Sweeteners: The recipe calls for minimal ingredients – steel-cut oats, water, a pinch of sea salt, flaxseed meal (optional), sweetener of choice (such as maple syrup or coconut sugar), and ground cinnamon. These ingredients work together to create a nutritious and naturally sweetened breakfast.
Toppings and Garnishes: The article suggests various topping options to enhance the flavor and presentation of the oats. From a berry compote with chia seeds for thickening and healthy fats to fresh fruit like bananas, dairy-free milk, nut butter (peanut or almond), and hemp seeds, the toppings add layers of taste and texture to the oatmeal.
Versatility: The versatility of the recipe is highlighted, with recommendations for seasonal variations. Whether it's roasted apples in the fall, fresh berries or compote in the summer, or oranges in the spring, the oats can be customized to suit your preferences and the season.
Storage and Reheating: The article provides information on storing leftovers, suggesting covering and refrigerating the oats for up to three days. When reheating, it recommends using the stovetop with water or dairy-free milk until hot.
Nutritional Information: Detailed nutritional information is provided, offering a rough estimate based on half of the recipe. This includes calorie count, carbohydrates, protein, fat content, fiber, sugar, and various vitamins and minerals.

In conclusion, if you're aiming to create the perfect bowl of steel-cut oats, follow these expert-approved tips and techniques for a breakfast that is not only easy to make but also fluffy, tender, creamy, nutritious, and undeniably delicious. Happy oatmeal crafting!